Roundtable: Building Better Connections Across Digital, Creative and Tech
Brighton has a strong digital, creative and tech ecosystem, but meaningful collaboration across these sectors does not always happen naturally.
This curated roundtable brings together growing businesses working across games, SaaS, software, e-learning, immersive, digital product and wider creative technology to explore where collaboration is already happening, what is getting in the way and what opportunities could be unlocked through stronger cross-sector connection.
Designed for Sussex based founders, leaders and growing teams, this session will create space to exchange insight, challenge assumptions and identify practical opportunities for future collaboration.
Event postponed
We've had to postpone this roundtable until later in the year, but you can still register your interest by completing the form below.
About this Roundtable
This roundtable is designed to connect founders and leaders working across Brighton’s digital, creative and technology led sectors.
Through small group discussions and am expert led panel, attendees will explore what is helping or holding back collaboration across the local digital ecosystem, from talent and team growth to the role of spaces, networks and emerging technology.
Together, we will explore:
- What is stopping meaningful collaboration between sectors
- What growing creative and tech teams need to scale
- What kind of spaces, networks and support help businesses connect and grow
- Where new opportunities are emerging across games, e-learning, immersive, AI, SaaS and digital product
Agenda
13:45 – 14:00 | Arrival and welcome
14:00– 14:10 | Welcome and introduction, overview of the session, format and purpose
14:10 – 15:00 | Roundtable discussions, interactive discussions across themed tables
15:00 – 15:15 | Reflections from the room, key insights and shared takeaways
15:15 – 15:45 | Panel discussion with expert led conversation exploring key themes and opportunities
15:45 – 16:00 | Q&A
16:00 – 16:30 | Next steps and networking
Optional Activities
10:00 – 13:30 | Work from the Hub
11:00 – 12:00 | Guided Tours
12:00 – 13:00 | Optional lunch and networking
Why Attend the Roundtable
This session is designed to move beyond broad networking and create a practical conversation about what Brighton’s digital, creative and tech ecosystem needs next.
Attendees will:
- Connect with founders and leaders working across games, SaaS, software, e-learning, immersive, digital product and creative technology
- Share challenges and compare approaches with peers building growing teams
- Explore where collaboration opportunities exist across sectors
- Gain insight into how AI, immersive, learning, simulation and product development are creating new opportunities
- Contribute to a practical discussion about the spaces, networks and support needed to help the local ecosystem grow
- Build relationships with Plus X Innovation and the wider community in a way that feels useful, relevant and sector focused
Speakers
Cat Baker-Bassett is Managing Director at DabApps, a Brighton-based technology partner that designs and builds AI-enabled web and mobile products for ambitious organisations. Over the past 12 years she has helped startups, scale-ups and established organisations navigate growth, bringing together product strategy, delivery, commercial thinking and people leadership.
A passionate advocate for collaboration across Sussex's digital, creative and technology sectors, Cat is particularly interested in how strong communities, diverse perspectives and meaningful partnerships can help businesses grow faster and innovate more effectively.
Gessica Puglielli is the Head of Product Design at MPB, the world’s largest platform for used photo and video gear. With over 20 years’ experience across graphic design, web, apps, UX and product design, her career has spanned editorial, advertising, SaaS and e-commerce, including work for high-profile brands such as National Geographic, HSBC, Citi Bank and Avalara.
At MPB, Gessica leads the product design team across Brighton and Berlin, focusing on customer-centred experiences that help people buy, sell and trade creative gear with confidence. Her work spans design strategy, product discovery, search, conversion, design systems and emerging AI-enabled experiences. A photographer as well as a design leader, she brings deep experience across web apps, mobile products and complex online systems, combining hands-on design craft with strategic product thinking, stakeholder collaboration and team mentorship.
Tone Brennan is Head of Studio at MAG Interactive. Having worked across television, console gaming and free-to-play mobile games since before smartphones existed, Tone brings a blend of creative, product and technical experience. Over his career, he has led teams across game design, product management and studio leadership, with a particular interest in how teams build, operate and scale successful game experiences for millions of players.
Roundtable discussion topics
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The people I have met here make it a dream coming in a few times a week! I don't see myself being able to go back to working from home the same way I did before coming to Plus X Innovation, I don't think I could leave the sense of community behind. It really is something everyone who is working from home should try!
Central Research Laboratory has contributed to our journey in many ways: access to a network, manufacturing, procurement services, and workshop facilities. CRL enables us to feel like a slightly bigger company than we would otherwise be if left to our own devices. Being here at CRL as a cohort member, makes it feel a lot more real and plugged in into the ecosystem.
Besides the workshop facilities, the best thing about working in the Brighton hub has got to be being able to collaborate with people in the same building as you. The variety of expertise and experience in the building is awesome.
We could not be in a better place to grow as a company. We get amazing support from the Plus X Innovation staff, plus collaboration opportunities with the other inspiring residents and companies. We feel like we’re living in the future of workplaces in the present and that is pretty damn cool.
Through my time at Plus X Innovation my business has turned from a student project into a registered R&D company. My favourite thing about being at Plus X Brighton is having a mini family in the office and a beautiful space to be the best you and make the best connections.
Who should attend
This roundtable is designed for senior executives of Sussex-based businesses and organisations working across sustainability, circularity, ESG and impact. It is particularly relevant for:
- Scaling Product and SaaS Founders
SaaS companies, AI platforms, data analytics startups, FinTech, Martech, software development companies and product led tech businesses.
- Gaming, E-learning and Creative Tech Teams
Gaming studios, e-learning companies, EdTech platforms, immersive technology businesses, digital learning studios and creative tech teams.
- Digital Agencies and Client Service Teams
Digital agencies, UX agencies, web development studios, marketing agencies, content studios and digital transformation consultancies.
This event is best suited to growing businesses with 3+ team members who are looking to collaborate, innovate, grow into new markets or better understand the opportunities across Brighton’s digital, creative and tech ecosystem.
